Chapter 13 #2
“Let me know if you have an hour or so to volunteer. I’m talking to some of the schools in the area and setting up the flu vaccines there. We could use a few people to help with registration and stuff,” Helen says as Nash pulls on his leash. He’s had enough and wants to move on.
“Will do,” I answer, then watch as she and her puppy move down the sidewalk.
The timing is perfect, because my phone rings with a video call and “Mom” flashes on my screen.
Mom is not a gadget person and still uses a phone as a phone.
It took Dad and me two weeks before we were able to teach her to video call and text.
It was both hilarious and frustrating. I step inside and say into the phone, “Hey, Mom.”
On the other end, Mom and Dad break into the “Happy Birthday” song, making me grin from ear to ear. Dad has a great baritone voice, but Mom sings way off-key. To me, they sound perfect. Once they’re done, Mom asks, “Did your gift arrive yet?”
“Not yet. But you can tell me about it.”
“Oh, dear! It’s not the same as watching you open it,” Mom replies, her eyes growing sad.
“Yo, Tessa, package,” War calls to me, heading over. He’s so tall and big all over that all you can see is his huge chest in the phone screen.
“Tessa, who’s that?” Dad asks.
“This is my friend War. He’s picking me up, and we’re meeting Motown.
We came home because I knew to expect my birthday present from you,” I explain.
War leaves as soon as he drops a padded envelope into my hand.
I set the phone down and tear it open. Inside is a small box.
And when I open it, I see a beautiful, handcrafted steel pendant on a delicate chain.
The pendant is an M & D, joined with a swirling flower design.
“Oh my God, this is stunning!” I exclaim, my gaze locked on the necklace.
“Your father made it,” Mom says proudly, while Dad lowers his eyes, his cheeks going pink.
“Dad, this is incredible. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you made this for me. I love it. You’re really talented. I’m going to have to commission you to supply some pieces for the shop,” I tell him, blowing him a kiss.
“We love you, baby girl.” Then a little more hesitantly, and with an obvious lump in his throat, he says, “And, we miss you.”
“I miss you too. So much,” I reply, tears welling in my eyes.
I do miss my parents. They’ve always been my greatest supporters.
This move was hard on all of us. “I plan on coming home for Christmas. I can’t stay for long because I have the shop, but I can’t have the holiday without you,” I say, hoping this makes them happy.
“That’s surprise number two,” Dad jumps in with a smile.
“Your mother and I have decided that we’re coming to you for the holiday.
That way, we can help at the shop if you need us, and we can spend more time together.
How does that sound? And I’ll get to meet this Motown fellow,” he says with a chuckle.
“That would be amazing, and you’ll love Motown. He’s down to earth, kind, and sweet—” I begin.
I hear Risk and War make a noise behind me, trying to contain their amusement.
“You don’t have to convince us, sweetie. If you like him, we’ll like him,” Mom says. She looks at Dad, “Right, sweetheart?”
Dad huffs, then responds, “I reserve the right to like him after I meet him.” Typical Dad, but it’s his job to protect his little girl, so I give him a wink and smile.
“Okay, Dad, but he’ll win you over,” I warn with a giggle.
“I hope so,” he grunts, but it’s all a front, because Dad winks right back at me. “Is he taking you out for dinner?”
“I forgot to tell him it’s my birthday. I’ve been so caught up in the store that I completely forgot until about an hour ago,” I tell them. “Maybe we’ll have a quiet night in.”
“Make him take you someplace special,” Dad says.
We chat for a little longer. Saying goodbye is always hard, but we eventually do. I guess I must look miserable, because Risk puts an arm around my shoulders and says quietly, “Hey, Tess, it sucks that they aren’t here, but you have a whole new family to celebrate with.”
“I know.” I sigh. “I miss my parents, but there’s no way I can take the time to go home and if my parents came here, I wouldn’t want them in the middle of what’s going on right now.
” I shrug. “I didn’t want to mention anything to Motown because that would put him on the spot.
And what would I say? ‘Hey, it’s my birthday’?
” I wave my hands around. “Motown and I are still new.”
War comes in from the porch. “Motown wants his woman back,” he says with a hearty laugh. “I think we should keep her away for another hour and see how long it takes for his head to explode.” Noted: War has a mischievous streak.
“Nah. I’ve seen that guy when he’s riled. Not a pretty sight,” Risk jokes. He turns to look at me. “Ready to go?”
“Just one minute.” I race to the bedroom mirror and put on the necklace Mom and Dad gifted me. “Okay, ready.”
We pull up to the compound, where I notice plenty of bikes in the lot. The place is busy tonight. Motown is waiting at the front and comes to the car to meet us. He opens the door for me and drags me into his arms, planting a long, sweet kiss on my lips.
“Hi, babe.” His voice low and sexy.
“Hey, back,” I murmur. I want to stay in his arms like this forever, but Motown has other plans.
We walk hand in hand into the clubhouse.
As soon as we reach the main area, “Surprise, happy birthday!” resounds through the room filled with Redemption Riders, Satan’s Pride, with Etain, Sasha, and, of course, Ruth all in attendance.
I’m stunned and overwhelmed, which leads to tears of joy.